Powick Neighbourhood Development Plan
In February with guidance from DJN Planning, we drew up a questionnaire survey that directly requested the views of the residents of the whole of the parish regarding the proposed Plan. We presented a draft Vision and Objectives and asked for opinions on our environment, community facilities, housing and economic development.
RESPONSE RATE
This was about average for this type of survey at 11% of the population (2021 census population figure 3,463). The response from our younger residents was under average compared to the census ratio whereas our older residents responded above the age ratio. I know young families tend to be time poor, which would explain the lack of response from this sector as the survey was time consuming, however, it was essential to capture this level of information to validate the policies at the examination stage.
DRAFT VISION AND OBJECTIVES
These are key and guiding elements to the Plan. In responses, 81% agreed with Vision and 75% agreed with Objectives – a good start!
THE SURVEY
In the main body of The Community Survey, we asked you through a tick box exercise for your thoughts around:
- ENVIRONMENT
- COMMUNITY FACILITIES
- HOUSING
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
We also invited:
FREE WRITE COMMENTS
This is where we invited you to supply additional information to the tick box exercise. There was an impressive number of responses across all elements of the survey and we have been encouraged by the level of detail you wanted to provide.
CURRENT WORK
Application to Locality for grant support didn’t reopen until June so whilst we awaited this new funding which finances our professional support, we continued to engage with Locality to secure technical support for Design Code. A small number from the Steering Group met with a representative from AECOM, an infrastructure consulting company working with Locality to provide support in drawing up Design Policies for Neighbourhood Plans. We toured the parish and discussed what Good Design looked like within the context of our environment and in relation to your survey comments. The AECOM consultant Becky Mather has presented a skeleton plan and we are in discussion with the details of this.
STEERING GROUP
We have met several times over the last few weeks; David Nicholson has presented a proposed Skeleton Plan and the team is involved with collating the information with regard to the key environmental features that you all identified in the survey:
- LOCAL GREEN SPACE
- IMPORTANT VIEWS
- HISTORIC FEATURES – NON-REGISTERED HISTORICAL ASSETS
NEXT STEPS
Stage 2 – Plan preparation. David is now drawing up the 14 Policies that will make up The Plan, using evidence from the survey, whilst being mindful that it will need to fall in line with the current National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Plan i.e. the South Worcester Development Plan. This will include the vision, objectives, planning policies, and Community Actions in respect of non-land use matters.
FOLLOWING
Public Consultation with the Community on the proposed Plan. We will be holding events and meeting with all our various societies and community groups to talk through the plan and listen to your thoughts.
KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE
You can view the results of the Community Survey in full along with a separate document listing all the additional responses from your fellow residents by checking out the Neighbourhood Plan tab on the Powick Parish Council website; or click the link below.
https://powick-pc.org.uk/neighbourhood-development-plan-2/
We will keep you updated on progress in the link on the Powick PC site and of course, if you have any questions please use the contact link on the website and we will be in touch.
We will also use the local Facebook groups to provide updates
To view the Neighbourhood Plan Survey Results please click the links below;
PWK NP Comment Listings March 2024
PWK NP Results Report March 2024
